Anybody abandon their dropper?

I'm sure there's been a thread like this before, but I'm too damned lazy to actually check.

Anyway, just wanted to see how many of you dropper post riders have actually switched BACK to riding a straight post. I just got back from visiting with my fiance's family in the UK for 3 weeks and rode there lots with my dropper post (Command Post Blacklight). For lack of a better description, the post was SH*T once the muck, mud, and water got to it.

Most riders we saw on the trail weren't riding with one, and after a couple rides I decided to ditch it and go back to a straight post. Honestly, I didn't miss it much. Less fuss to deal with and more enjoyment of just riding.

I loved the dropper post since I got it, but now I'm wondering how much I really NEED it. I'll probably use it for Enduro races, but otherwise, I think I'm done with it.

I'm sure there's been a thread like this before, but I'm too damned lazy to actually check.

Anyway, just wanted to see how many of you dropper post riders have actually switched BACK to riding a straight post. I just got back from visiting with my fiance's family in the UK for 3 weeks and rode there lots with my dropper post (Command Post Blacklight). For lack of a better description, the post was SH*T once the muck, mud, and water got to it.

Most riders we saw on the trail weren't riding with one, and after a couple rides I decided to ditch it and go back to a straight post. Honestly, I didn't miss it much. Less fuss to deal with and more enjoyment of just riding.

I loved the dropper post since I got it, but now I'm wondering how much I really NEED it. I'll probably use it for Enduro races, but otherwise, I think I'm done with it.

Anyone else have the same or similar experience?

How does a straight post increase the enjoyment of riding? I can see ditching the dropper if you don't use it but I can't figure out how it would increase the enjoyment of riding. Did you test to see if you got the same enjoyment increase by riding without pressing the dropper post button?

I've switched back. I had a KS i900 lever adjust. Really liked it at first but never felt like it made my riding any faster necessarily. The lever adjust vs. remote meant I had to time when I was going to raise and lower it just right. After about 6 months the post started to develop problems, would pogo, sag and by the end wouldn't stay compressed. I sent it to KS for service and they re-built it no problem and functioned perfectly again. They have great service. I ended up selling it on ebay.

While the KS was away I put a Thomson on there and my bike dropped 3/4 of a lb. Paired with a high quality adjustable seat post collar (Hope Tech) I actually prefer not having the dropper. Simpler, bomb-proof and easy. Did an Enduro race with it this summer and it was perfect. I had the post up on the un-timed climbs and down for the timed sections. The short climbs in the race I stood out of the saddle and hammered the pedals anyway. Weekly rides are the same. Most rides start with a sustained climb then I drop the seat all the way down for the decent or intermediate if it's a mixed/rolling trail.

I will eventually entertain owning a dropper again but am going to give it time seeing as EVERY post available right now has some sort of issue, no matter how small. I'm keeping my eye on the Thomson release. To me, $400 could go towards any number of items that would make a dramatic difference on bike performance (wheels, high quality disc brakes, etc.).

I'm sure there's been a thread like this before, but I'm too damned lazy to actually check.

Anyway, just wanted to see how many of you dropper post riders have actually switched BACK to riding a straight post. I just got back from visiting with my fiance's family in the UK for 3 weeks and rode there lots with my dropper post (Command Post Blacklight). For lack of a better description, the post was SH*T once the muck, mud, and water got to it.

Most riders we saw on the trail weren't riding with one, and after a couple rides I decided to ditch it and go back to a straight post. Honestly, I didn't miss it much. Less fuss to deal with and more enjoyment of just riding.

I loved the dropper post since I got it, but now I'm wondering how much I really NEED it. I'll probably use it for Enduro races, but otherwise, I think I'm done with it.

Anyone else have the same or similar experience?

How does a straight post increase the enjoyment of riding? I can see ditching the dropper if you don't use it but I can't figure out how it would increase the enjoyment of riding. Did you test to see if you got the same enjoyment increase by riding without pressing the dropper post button?

I'm entertaining the idea of going back to a Thomson after my Joplin started leaking air and not going back up. It'll hold air for a week or so and go flat. CB want's $50 to replace the air seal. I'm thinking it's better spent on a new quality rigid post. I'd love to get the new Thomson dropper but at $400, I think of other things to spend that money on.

After years of avoiding droppers because of the cost, weight, lack of reliability & extra clutter on the bike I took the plunge a couple years back.

Despite all the drawbacks I am a hopeless addict.

The dropper gets used dozens of times every time I ride my bike, I absolutely love having the ability to select the perfect seat height at the touch of a button. But, as with all things bike related, to each their own its all about enjoying the ride.

How does a straight post increase the enjoyment of riding? I can see ditching the dropper if you don't use it but I can't figure out how it would increase the enjoyment of riding. Did you test to see if you got the same enjoyment increase by riding without pressing the dropper post button?

I'm just saying that it increased the joy of riding without having to worry about dropping the post. Just one less thing to think about. I know some people will say "it just becomes natural, like switching gears"-and that was true for me-but simplifying things (to me at least) makes just the simple act of riding more enjoyable. It's a personal thing. I can't say that the drop post didn't add another "fun" aspect to riding, but where I'm at right now, I just want things as simple as possible.

After years of avoiding droppers because of the cost, weight, lack of reliability & extra clutter on the bike I took the plunge a couple years back.

Despite all the drawbacks I am a hopeless addict.

The dropper gets used dozens of times every time I ride my bike, I absolutely love having the ability to select the perfect seat height at the touch of a button. But, as with all things bike related, to each their own its all about enjoying the ride.

I absolutely agree. I was an addict when I started riding them a couple years back. I'm sure I'll go back (esp) for racing, but I'm definitely enjoying the simplicity that a straight post brings to my riding. It's almost like stepping back in time! End of the day though, to each their own.

I had a KS i900 'cause all the cool kids were using one. I used it for a while, then realized I usually stop at the top of extended descents to put on elbow pads and re-group from the climb. I can adjust my seat height then. I also stop at the bottom to wait for my friends and take off pads for the next climb. I ditched my KS when it developed the inevitable problems and went back to a simple Thomson. Ahhhhhh, clean, light and simple.

When I ride with fast people who have dropper posts and/or ride a lot of up and down terrain, I can see the advantage of a dropper post. I have been on rides where I can't stop to adjust my saddle unless I want to get dropped myself. Now that the KS LEV seems to have it figured out (and no cable movement), I may try again, when I have $400 I don't want.

EVERY post available right now has some sort of issue, no matter how small. I'm keeping my eye on the Thomson release. To me, $400 could go towards any number of items that would make a dramatic difference on bike performance (wheels, high quality disc brakes, etc.).

You should look into a Gravity Dropper. It is bomb proof. The ugly boot keeps all of the muck out of the mechanism. The mechanism of the post is just a simple spring with a retaining pin. I can take the thing apart and put it back together in 5 minutes. I just converted my 4" drop to a 3" multi position drop since the post was too tall for my larger frame. The parts were $30 and they shipped it in two days. It took me 3 minutes to convert it. You can't do that with any other post on the market. They sell all of the parts on their website if you do need to replace something.
Yes, every post has some sort of issue. The GD has no mechanical issues I can think of. The only issues are the fact that some people don't like the looks and the cable routing on the turbo model can be funky.
To answer the original question; no, I would not ever give up my dropper. It is too useful and too much fun.

I'm just saying that it increased the joy of riding without having to worry about dropping the post. Just one less thing to think about. I know some people will say "it just becomes natural, like switching gears"-and that was true for me-but simplifying things (to me at least) makes just the simple act of riding more enjoyable. It's a personal thing. I can't say that the drop post didn't add another "fun" aspect to riding, but where I'm at right now, I just want things as simple as possible.

Would you get the same enjoyment if you left the dropper on and didn't touch the button?

I'm sure there's been a thread like this before, but I'm too damned lazy to actually check.

Anyway, just wanted to see how many of you dropper post riders have actually switched BACK to riding a straight post. I just got back from visiting with my fiance's family in the UK for 3 weeks and rode there lots with my dropper post (Command Post Blacklight). For lack of a better description, the post was SH*T once the muck, mud, and water got to it.

Most riders we saw on the trail weren't riding with one, and after a couple rides I decided to ditch it and go back to a straight post. Honestly, I didn't miss it much. Less fuss to deal with and more enjoyment of just riding.

I loved the dropper post since I got it, but now I'm wondering how much I really NEED it. I'll probably use it for Enduro races, but otherwise, I think I'm done with it.

Anyone else have the same or similar experience?

Me. Been running dropper posts off/on for almost 6-7 years now. First 4-5 years they never left the bike. Over the past couple of years, been phasing them out more and more and only use them when absolutely needed for very undulating trail riding terrain. So, it's fixed post (Thomson) for the majority of the time due to reliability and sound function of a fixed post. I was stoked to do a couple Enduro races without one last year and still place quite well due to format (Super D's would have to run them). This year, the only time my dropper will be going back on bike is for trip to Sedona this spring and Whistler trail riding this summer. FWIW, I have owned 2 GD posts (4", 5"), Reverb, KS 6". I always end up going back to the Thomson standard in the end.

I've switched back. I had a KS i900 lever adjust. Really liked it at first but never felt like it made my riding any faster necessarily. The lever adjust vs. remote meant I had to time when I was going to raise and lower it just right. After about 6 months the post started to develop problems, would pogo, sag and by the end wouldn't stay compressed. I sent it to KS for service and they re-built it no problem and functioned perfectly again. They have great service. I ended up selling it on ebay.

While the KS was away I put a Thomson on there and my bike dropped 3/4 of a lb. Paired with a high quality adjustable seat post collar (Hope Tech) I actually prefer not having the dropper. Simpler, bomb-proof and easy. Did an Enduro race with it this summer and it was perfect. I had the post up on the un-timed climbs and down for the timed sections. The short climbs in the race I stood out of the saddle and hammered the pedals anyway. Weekly rides are the same. Most rides start with a sustained climb then I drop the seat all the way down for the decent or intermediate if it's a mixed/rolling trail.

I will eventually entertain owning a dropper again but am going to give it time seeing as EVERY post available right now has some sort of issue, no matter how small. I'm keeping my eye on the Thomson release. To me, $400 could go towards any number of items that would make a dramatic difference on bike performance (wheels, high quality disc brakes, etc.).

I'm just saying that it increased the joy of riding without having to worry about dropping the post. Just one less thing to think about. I know some people will say "it just becomes natural, like switching gears"-and that was true for me-but simplifying things (to me at least) makes just the simple act of riding more enjoyable. It's a personal thing. I can't say that the drop post didn't add another "fun" aspect to riding, but where I'm at right now, I just want things as simple as possible.

This for me as well as most infinite dropper posts will eventually not stay in one fixed position due to travel creep from contamination or wearing of seals or internals eventually before long despite proper maintenance. (accererlated by riding a lot in wet, bad weather). With exception of GD posts, I like knowing the post is in a certain fixed position at all times when climbing or descending and focus more on riding which equates to more fun. It's really personal preference like most things on bikes. Dropper posts do allow you to ride more, and more continuously on certain trails, thus leading to more fun and flow, but for some trails that mostly go all up to down, it's just another thing on bike to distract from the ride.

I talked toa guy who had a dropper post on my local trails which are hills so it's all up n' down every few minutes with no drops or very tech/nasty sections. He said he doesn't use it much. I'm not that tall so my post height isn't super high so it isn't difficult to lean back without the saddle being in the way. If there were drops, jumps, & lots of chunky rocks, I'd lower or want a dropper but like some have said, I dont' really want something else that could develop issues.

I I'm not that tall so my post height isn't super high so it isn't difficult to lean back without the saddle being in the way. If there were drops, jumps, & lots of chunky rocks, I'd lower or want a dropper but like some have said, I dont' really want something else that could develop issues.

It doesn't matter how tall you are or what your seatpost height is. If you have your seat set for proper pedaling position, your leg will be straight when the pedal is at the bottom of your stroke whether you are 5'1" or 7' 6".
If you want to get your body over the rear wheel for gnarly downhill with your seat in this position, you will rack your nuts. It's not a matter of if you will rack them, it is a matter of when. Without a dropper, you have a few choices if you want your seat in an optimal pedaling position. You can ride in a suboptimal downhill position (over your seat), stop and drop the seat for gnarly sections, or ride less gnarly terrain.
In the event that my comments might be misunderstood, I didn't say that you can't ride gnarly terrain without a dropper post. I am saying that any rider can ride gnarly downhill better when the seat is low and they can get their weight back over the rear wheel (which is proper technique). To accomplish this see my above comments.

I love my dropper for the reasons stated above, although I'll add that its more about being able to get low but keep weight on the front wheel rather than hanging over the back and losing front end grip.

I ran my reverb for a year then took it off since I found that I was actually not using it at all. I put my regular post back in and left it that way for about 9 months. I put my reverb up for sale but it never sold so I decided to just put it back on for the time being. In the last 5 weeks it has been back on my bike I have maybe pushed the drop button 5 times (3 of which were to show people how it worked........) Probably pulling it back off shortly. The weight savings is worth it.

I love my dropper for the reasons stated above, although I'll add that its more about being able to get low but keep weight on the front wheel rather than hanging over the back and losing front end grip.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Interesting angle. I do use my dropper to stay low and neutral for better handling in fast and flowy downhill sections. In my previous post (nut racking), I was referring to those gnarly technical downhill sections where you have to hang over the back wheel just to keep from going over the bars. Front wheel grip is not an issue in this scenario.
There is a certain level of steepness and rugged terrain that just can't be ridden with your weight over the seat. For these situations, I find a dropper post very convenient. This is especially true when these sections are immediately followed by uphill and then down again. I also reap the benefits of the dropper in more flowy sections (as you mention) where you want front and rear grip with a low center of gravity.
If I didn't have a dropper, I would not lower the seat for those flowy downhill sections and would miss out on this huge benefit. With the dropper, I can seamlessly drop the seat for any section that a low center of gravity or rear weight shift would be beneficial.

just dropped my dropper on a newly built HT. not missing it that much but, tbh, haven't hit too many steep trails recently, so using the qr has been no trouble... yet..
he says...eyeing gravity dropper on old ht.. still thinking about putting it on...

had a dropper on my old bike and loved it then the bike got stolen in LA. Bought a new bike and rode it for a month or so with a standard post. I hated having to stop to lower or raise the post. That said I bought a new Kind Shock w remote and have been loving having a dropper again.

Warning: Consumption of alcohol may make you think the person on the barstool next to you is attractive

Some rides get little use from my dropper post, but there are enough rides where it gets enough use that it's staying on.

Have dabbled a bit back with regular posts, but always end up putting the dropper back on after a few rides.

Caveat: I'm one of those people who hasn't had much trouble with any of mine. Currently being used:

Two Reverbs (one was DOA out of the box - its replacement has been fine for over a year. They have both needed a bleed about every six months. little enough and easy enough i don't mind.) One gets way, way more mileage than the other, but so far I've not been able to tell if that one is working any less well than the other.

Two Gravity Droppers - one remote, one non-remote. One is near six years, the other near seven years old. The couple issues they've had were handled quickly, easily, painlessly by the company.

Interesting angle. I do use my dropper to stay low and neutral for better handling in fast and flowy downhill sections. In my previous post (nut racking), I was referring to those gnarly technical downhill sections where you have to hang over the back wheel just to keep from going over the bars. Front wheel grip is not an issue in this scenario.
There is a certain level of steepness and rugged terrain that just can't be ridden with your weight over the seat. For these situations, I find a dropper post very convenient. This is especially true when these sections are immediately followed by uphill and then down again. I also reap the benefits of the dropper in more flowy sections (as you mention) where you want front and rear grip with a low center of gravity.
If I didn't have a dropper, I would not lower the seat for those flowy downhill sections and would miss out on this huge benefit. With the dropper, I can seamlessly drop the seat for any section that a low center of gravity or rear weight shift would be beneficial.

Yeah I didn't word my answer properly. I agree abut meant the biggest benefit for me is getting a lower centre of gravity.

I think that people that don't miss the dropper didn't change their riding style to suit (keeping the bike angle the same as the ride and not getting low), not saying that is wrong for them. Bit learning to lean the bike a bit more and getting lower has helped me, as well as not getting hung on the back of saddle after steep bits .

The problem is that I keep reading that all DP's eventually fail. If/when the Joplin dies, I will be faced with the prospect of trying to figure out which other heavy expensive unreliable DP to get. Vs. simply remounting simple light solid post sitting around doing nothing right now.

Whoever invents a light, totally reliable DP with remote will die a multi-gazillionaire

Old enough to know better. And old enough not to care. Best age to be.

It doesn't matter how tall you are or what your seatpost height is. If you have your seat set for proper pedaling position, your leg will be straight when the pedal is at the bottom of your stroke whether you are 5'1" or 7' 6".
If you want to get your body over the rear wheel for gnarly downhill with your seat in this position, you will rack your nuts. It's not a matter of if you will rack them, it is a matter of when. Without a dropper, you have a few choices if you want your seat in an optimal pedaling position. You can ride in a suboptimal downhill position (over your seat), stop and drop the seat for gnarly sections, or ride less gnarly terrain.
In the event that my comments might be misunderstood, I didn't say that you can't ride gnarly terrain without a dropper post. I am saying that any rider can ride gnarly downhill better when the seat is low and they can get their weight back over the rear wheel (which is proper technique). To accomplish this see my above comments.

I don't have any gnarly terrain to ride. Hence my comment of having no jumps, drops, or chunky terrain. Should have added steeps in there too.

Off-topic but I've always understood that your leg should be slightly bent when the pedal is at the bottom of the stroke. Looking at a few sites shows that position, not completely straight.

I change my QR seatpost SEVERAL times every ride. I can;t wait to spend the money on a dropper. It'll probably save me 10 minutes every time I go ride.

That's what I thought, but it gets better. You'll have better flow when the climb transitions to a descent. Challenging turns can be done with a lower CG, making them faster. Who lowers their saddles for turns? You will

Off-topic but I've always understood that your leg should be slightly bent when the pedal is at the bottom of the stroke. Looking at a few sites shows that position, not completely straight.

Yes, that is correct. The most common height adjustment technique is to place the pedal at the furthest point with your heel on the pedal. You leg should be completely straight with no bend in your knees. This will give you a very slight bend in your knee when the ball of your foot is on the pedal.
In this position, it is hard to get way back without racking your jewels. As mentioned previously, it is also a high center of gravity. Not necessarily the most optimal position for tight, twisty and flowy downhill either.

I don't have any gnarly terrain to ride. Hence my comment of having no jumps, drops, or chunky terrain. Should have added steeps in there too

Not to be obnoxious, but what you describe doesn't sound like mountain biking, and certainly not "all mountain" as generally understood. In your terrain you not only don't need a DP, but might be better off without any suspension, front or rear, as well. How about a fully rigid cross bike? On a fire road, all you need is a bike with knobby tires.

Old enough to know better. And old enough not to care. Best age to be.

Not to be obnoxious, but what you describe doesn't sound like mountain biking, and certainly not "all mountain" as generally understood. In your terrain you not only don't need a DP, but might be better off without any suspension, front or rear, as well. How about a fully rigid cross bike? On a fire road, all you need is a bike with knobby tires.

I started a thread like this a year or so ago after I gave up on a Joplin 4. It was a POS, and I still have it in a parts bin and have a Thomson on my hardtail. But, I have used a Reverb on my FS frame for a season with no issues. I managed for a year or so without a dropper, and on our trails that tend to be mostly up and then down, I could manage. But my preference is to have a dropper if it doesn't cause a ton of headaches. I'll be curious to see how the Thomson shakes out. It looks promising.

I'll add my voice to the chorus of riders who drop the saddle for cornering. Having the saddle slammed way down makes it a ton easier to lean the bike and carve a turn. Focussing on dropping the saddle for steep sections misses the biggest advantage they offer, IMO.

I had a reverb on my enduro and it was great for the terrain i ride which consists of lots of ups and downs, some drops , rollers, and steep spots . I currently dont have a dropper yet but i DEF am in the market , just waiting out a bit . Really depends on the terrain you ride i guess.

The only way I'd consider abandoning my dropper is if I moved somewhere else. My local trails have lots of short, steep and technical ups and downs and I use my dropper probably as often as I shift. I can ride most of the descents with the seat up but they're much more fun with it down and that's what matters to me.

If I lived somewhere with less technical trails or somewhere with really long climbs followed by long descents, I'd probably go back to a standard post as (IMO) those situations don't really benefit from a dropper.

I must be one of the lucky ones. I've got 4 seasons in on my AMP and have only done the most basic maintenance.

What a coincidence that the post before mine mentioned an AMP post. I have 4 or even 5 years on mine with 1 cable change and simple maintenance. Just recently the mount for the remote cracked, and while i was trying to figure out how to use a different company's remote my buddy made one for me at his machine shop. So all is well again.

Problem was the AMP has the cable end at the post, most remotes work the other way.

I also have 2 years on a Specialized post which has worked flawlessly on 2 different bikes.

I wouldnt want to ride my trails without one. Even on our xc trails, there are rollers, skinnies, rock gardens and such that the dropper makes so much more fun.

Love the dropper. I ride lots of tech but even just for crusing around its cool to be able to drop the seat and relax a little if your riding with slow people.... i dont think anybody has given up thier dropper posts your all a bunch of liers

It doesn't matter how tall you are or what your seatpost height is. If you have your seat set for proper pedaling position, your leg will be straight when the pedal is at the bottom of your stroke whether you are 5'1" or 7' 6".

While I agree that having a dropper post is helpful and many riders find that it has changed their riding style, this post perpetuates a misconception that the leg should ever be completely straight when pedaling on your bike. If at any point during your pedal movement (while seated) your leg is almost straight you are putting quite a bit of stress on the ligaments surrounding your knee, and your knee yourself.

For years I rode with my saddle too high until I went to go get a fitting (second best upgrade I ever spent on my bike) I ended up lowering my seat quite a bit and most of my knee problems went away. My mountain bike saddle is almost the same height as my road bike and I have no problem getting behind the seat...but maybe I just have different body type.

On to the original question, I had a joplin post, was annoyed that it kept breaking and then realized that I rarely used it when riding...so when it broke for the last time, I did not replace it.

Love the dropper. I ride lots of tech but even just for crusing around its cool to be able to drop the seat and relax a little if your riding with slow people.... i dont think anybody has given up thier dropper posts your all a bunch of liers

^^
What he said ..

I've been riding a Reverb for a year now and it's gotten to the point where I cant ride a bike without a dropper. So much more control and fun at the press of a button...

I will eventually entertain owning a dropper again but am going to give it time seeing as EVERY post available right now has some sort of issue, no matter how small. I'm keeping my eye on the Thomson release. To me, $400 could go towards any number of items that would make a dramatic difference on bike performance (wheels, high quality disc brakes, etc.).

I've been debating whether to jump into getting a dropper post, but this is also a hang-up for me. I wish there were some sort of bulletproof option out there. So far, based on reviews, the closest I've come across is the Gravity Dropper classic. It's not pretty, but the reviews are solid.

I've been debating whether to jump into getting a dropper post, but this is also a hang-up for me. I wish there were some sort of bulletproof option out there. So far, based on reviews, the closest I've come across is the Gravity Dropper classic. It's not pretty, but the reviews are solid.

GD had a few breakages on early models (breakage meaning the post itself snapped off) which has been adressed. Apart from that, I can't imagine what could possibly go wrong with them - they're so simple. I love mine. I'd gladly get rid of it if my rides consisted of non-stop climbing followed by non-stop decending, but the terrain around here is very rolling meaning I don't want to be without it.

I ran my reverb for a year then took it off since I found that I was actually not using it at all. I put my regular post back in and left it that way for about 9 months. I put my reverb up for sale but it never sold so I decided to just put it back on for the time being. In the last 5 weeks it has been back on my bike I have maybe pushed the drop button 5 times (3 of which were to show people how it worked........) Probably pulling it back off shortly. The weight savings is worth it.

Why not lower it more? Any time you're not pedaling you can go faster with the seat down out of the way.

I have a 27.2 ST, pretty much sucks for dropper selection. I have had an X Fusion HiLo for about a year, and I just put it into a box to send it back to them for the 2nd time to be repaired. What a POS.

Going back to a standard post, I rode with one for 24 years I can survive a few more until someone gets it right.

Gravity Dropper design for $100 tickle your fancy?
GD had a few breakages on early models (breakage meaning the post itself snapped off) which has been adressed. Apart from that, I can't imagine what could possibly go wrong with them - they're so simple. I love mine. I'd gladly get rid of it if my rides consisted of non-stop climbing followed by non-stop decending, but the terrain around here is very rolling meaning I don't want to be without it.

Got this one, ie european import version (Ice lift V8). Not as nice as a reverb (only 3 position). Can be tricky to setup correctly and sometimes can be hard to unlock.
But in the end no reliability issues.
I will never go back to non dropper post, too much gnarly sections here.

Adjustable seatposts aren't for everyone. In some places, it doesn't make sense to use them. That said, these seatposts enable you to be in a more agressive attack position, allowing you to take turns/drops with more comfort, ease, and confidence. With the seat out of the way of your inner thighs, you can lean your bike further into turns, also you are further away from the seat on drops to absorb impact from drops/jumps.

back to thomson

I don't use mine anymore because where I live now (Tahoe) I pedal up everything, rest at the top, then slam my seat all the way down for the descent and just stand up pedal. Though I am more on the FR side of all mountain riding now. When I did use my gravity dropper it always worked flawlessly.